Netgear WG102 WG102 Reference Manual - Page 96

WPA/WPA2 Authentication: Enterprise-level User Authentication via 802.1x/EAP and RADIUS

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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG102 WPA/WPA2 Authentication: Enterprise-level User Authentication via 802.1x/EAP and RADIUS Figure B-3: WPA/WPA2 Overview IEEE 802.1x offers an effective framework for authenticating and controlling user traffic to a protected network, as well as providing a vehicle for dynamically varying data encryption keys via EAP from a RADIUS server, for example. This framework enables using a central authentication server, which employs mutual authentication so that a rogue wireless user does not join the network. It is important to note that 802.1x does not provide the actual authentication mechanisms. When using 802.1x, the EAP type, such as Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS), or EAP Tunneled Transport Layer Security (EAP-TTLS), defines how the authentication takes place. Note: For environments with a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) infrastructure, WPA supports Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). For environments without a RADIUS infrastructure, WPA supports the use of a pre-shared key. Together, these technologies provide a framework for strong user authentication. Windows XP implements 802.1x natively, and several NETGEAR switch and wireless access point products support 802.1x. B-12 202-10064-02, June 2005 Wireless Networking Basics

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Reference Manual for the NETGEAR ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point WG102
B-12
Wireless Networking Basics
202-10064-02, June 2005
WPA/WPA2 Authentication: Enterprise-level User
Authentication via 802.1x/EAP and RADIUS
Figure B-3:
WPA/WPA2 Overview
IEEE 802.1x offers an effective framework for authenticating and controlling user traffic to a
protected network, as well as providing a vehicle for dynamically varying data encryption keys via
EAP from a RADIUS server, for example. This framework enables using a central authentication
server, which employs mutual authentication so that a rogue wireless user does not join the
network.
It is important to note that 802.1x does not provide the actual authentication mechanisms. When
using 802.1x, the EAP type, such as Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS), or EAP Tunneled
Transport Layer Security (EAP-TTLS), defines how the authentication takes place.
Note
: For environments with a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS)
infrastructure, WPA supports Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). For environments
without a RADIUS infrastructure, WPA supports the use of a pre-shared key.
Together, these technologies provide a framework for strong user authentication.
Windows XP implements 802.1x natively, and several NETGEAR switch and wireless access
point products support 802.1x.